Dream’n

Not sure where you will be reading this but where we are writing this the weather has been in the 100s for the past two days. The last month we have had over 20 days with heat greater then 90 degrees…. With all this heat we look forward to the next season to be upon us. Find this to be a little inspiration. Would you agree?

Immersing in Culture

Inspiration comes from many sources in our lives and to me I have always been very receptive to my surroundings. Be it the street musicians rocking out along Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, or the ambient sounds of prayer wheels being spun in Nepal. The images of our lives are culminations of our experiences from many sources. These experiences make us who we are. There are so many different mindsets on exactly what an adventure is, all based around your interest. To one a lengthy logistical ice-climbing expedition to Patagonia might just be your choice. While to another a simple loading up the car and head out to climb Devils Tower over a long weekend is your extended idea of an adventure. Whatever it is as long as you are out traveling in your own style is all that matters. We only ask that you get to know the locals and immerse yourself into the local culture while you are there, where ever there might be. Take some time from your adventure and meet with the natives, stay with a host family, and engage in some local practices. You will be absolutely awe struck by the experience that you will gain.

To us really getting out there, seeing something new, being a complete outsider trying to understand the local ways, customs, people, and yes coffee, is what is an adventure to us. There are countless areas around the world that we can gain this cultural immersion, but we have choice our top 5 destination to get out there and get immersed.

Check out the five Cultures on http://www.adventurechronicles.net

Top Adventure Trips for 2010

Check out the Adventure Chronicles for the Top Adventure Trips for 2010.
I was reading an article in National Geographic Adventure Magazine today about the 25 best trips for 2010. It got me to think of what my top trips for 2010 might include. Yes, many of the trips from the article where great but I felt obligated to create my own list for you to start thinking of your 2010 trip bucket list. This is just a start… wait till 2011.
http://www.adventurechronicles.net

TREKKING IN THE ANNAPURNA HIMAL

The name comes from the Sanskrit, an ancient Indic language of India, meaning of “Goddess of the Harvest”, given because of its nourishing and replenishing flow of water to the low land rivers and farmlands. The nourishing soul of the mountain is

far from its reality. It is one of the most deadly and technically difficult climbs in the world. It is the most rarely climbed 8000m peak in the world. It is Annapurna.

Head over to the adventure chronicles website to see the full adventure with maps and photos.
http://www.adventurechronicles.net

THE BACKCOUNTRY GEAR LIST

So how much gear do you actually need for the full day of catching the backcountry POW? Too much and it could slow you down and be a hassle, maybe even be a burden to your turns in the powder. Too little and you set yourself up for potential danger and ill preparedness. What if the weather changes drastically? One of the best Boy Scout mottos in the Book; “Be Prepared”. We will breakdown what you need, what you want, and what can be left back at home.

The first and most critical piece of gear isn’t going to go in your pack at all. It is the knowledge and the preparation that you must have to venture into the backcountry and enjoy the safest experience possible. What’s the recent avalanche report? What’s the weather forecast? Have you informed someone were you are going to be? Are you prepared mentally for most epics that you might run into? As with everything education and preparation are critical to having a safe and fun day eating up some POW.

For the full story and list head over to the Adventure Chronicles.
http://www.adventurechronicles.net
Getting to the good stuff, what is needed in the pack. First you need a pack that fits well, rides well, and holds just the right amount of gear

Four Legged Heros

Hiding from it isn’t an option, out running it isn’t feasible, what can you do….. nothing. Each year an unfortunate number of backcountry enthusiasts are caught in Avalanches. If buried alive every second counts: Within the first seven minutes, brain damage can occur, fifteen minutes, 30% are dead, thirty minutes, 90% are dead. After thirty minutes, you are not expected to be found alive.

The real heros of the Jackson Hole Avalanche Rescue Team, are the K-9 Units. Everyday, two rescue Dogs are on active duty at Jackson Hole Ski Resort. The crew and your life depend on the training of these four legged heros. They are the champions of the Jackson Hole K-9 SAR team.
See the full story and Video on the Adventure Chronicles. http://www.adventurechronicles.net

REIHNOLD MESSNER

One of the Greatest Climber of modern times…. maybe… one of the strongest of climbers…. probably won’t meet many climbers stronger….
Reihnold Messner has the heart of a true adventurer. Not out to conquer but out to find adventure…. discover this world and discover new places and culture.
Read more about Reihnold and see a great video about his life on the Adventure Chronicles.
http://www.adventurechronicles.net

Fighting the Pine Beetle

The National Park Service is launching a 100-day plan to battle pine beetles and reduce the risk of wildfire at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Crews at Rushmore have been thinning trees for years to make the forest less to mountain pine beetles and to catastrophic wildfire. But efforts have intensified over the past few months as a major pine beetle infestation in the central Black Hills has approached Rushmore.

Rushmore resource officials said late last year that beetles already have been infesting some trees around the memorial.

Recently, a special National Park Service Rapid Resource Assessment Team developed what team members call an aggressive plan to blunt the beetles’ march. Action will focus on thinning trees on the 1,200-acre forest around Rushmore and on spraying “high-value” old-growth trees with a chemical that repels pine beetles, said Chris Holbeck, chief resource manager for the park service’s Midwest region based in Omaha.

Holbeck, who headed the action team, said the goal is to protect the scenic vistas of the park from pine beetles, to protect the park from wildfires and to prevent fire from spreading beyond the park.

Foresters said large stands of trees killed by bugs are more likely to be the site of catastrophic fires.

Holbeck said the park service will need more money to complete the 100-day plan, but it has enough to begin work. The park service will continue thinning trees, which helps remaining trees stave off bug attacks, as well as reduces fuel for wildfires.

Because Rushmore’s forest is relatively small, it will be easier to spray old-growth pines around the sculpture and near tourist trails with a bug repellent, Holbeck said.

Rushmore has the second-largest continuous stand of old-growth ponderosa pine in the Black Hills, park service officials said.

“Those 1,200 acres represent age classes of trees that go back 500 years,” Holbeck said. “They are one of the things national parks preserve.”
They are an important part of the memorial, Baker said. “They help us tell our story.”

In fact, the trees themselves might be a bulwark in the park service’s battle against the beetles. Holbeck and other park service experts said the trees that are hundreds of years old likely have survived previous infestations and developed resistance to the bugs.

Full Story on the Adventure Chronicles. http://www.adventurechronicles.net

Mt. Biking the Continental Divide Trail

Climbing over 200,000 feet (total of 7 Mt. Everests) through four states and 2,493 mile might just make anyones legs turn to jello. This is the world’s longest mt. biking route, this is the Continental Divide Trail. (CDT)

Beginning along the board of Canada and the US, just north of Eureka, Montana you will begin you journey south to the Mexican boarder. Traveling through Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. You will bear witness to some of the most beautiful vista’s and landscapes in the solitude of the single track. No motorized vehicles just you and your bike. Naturally with a route that expands this length you will encounter great alpine elevations, ride along the grasslands, through low land deserts, and all within the solitude of the wilderness.

Check out the Full Story of the Ultimate Adventure at: http://www.adventurechronicles.net

Friday Focus with Majka Burhardt

Majka Burhardt is making it happen and we are stoked to be following along with her adventures. She is building

her dream of climbing, writing and finding the balance to enjoy life. This week’s Adventure Chronicle’s Friday Focus highlights Majka’s balance, her passion for story telling, and her ability to find the strong balance that life needs.

Check out our Full Interview with Majka on the Adventure Chronicles.

http://www.adventurechronicles.net